Body construction



Jan. 5, 1943.

A. BENZICK BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1941 v 4 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 1 ALEXANDER BENZ/CK Jan. 5, 1943. A. BENZICK BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALEM/VDEQ ZBE/VZ/QX "BY v Q ATTORNEY.

Jan. 5, 1943. A. BENZICK BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 23, 1941 4 Shets-Shei 3 ANDE/P flfA/Z/CX X ATTORNEY.

. 3 wy W Jan. 5, 1943. A. BENZICK BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed May 23, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AL EXAA/DE/P 5 A/Z/CX -16; ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNHTED STATES rereurorrice BODY CONSTRUCTION Alexander Benzick, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, Kenosha, Wis., a

corporation of Maryland Application May 23, 1941, Serial No. 394,774

4 Claims. (01., 2% 28),

This invention relates to body construction and has particular reference to a window frame and regulator panel for an automobile body. More particularly the invention has reference to the window frame and regulator panel for. the rear side window or rear quarter window of a sedan or coach type body. 7

It is an object of this invention to provide a window frame and regulator panel which will cooperate with the outer rear quarter'panel of the body to form a rigid window frame.

It is another object of this invention to provide a window frame and regulator panel which will cooperate with the outer rear quarter panel of the body to form a door post of generally boxshaped cross section. v It is another object of this invention to provide a window frame and regulator panel which will cooperate with the outer rear quarter panel and wheel house to form a mutually reinforcing body structure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a panel having a window frame section and a regulator supporting section which will be cheaper to construct and assemble in, an auto:

mobile body than the corresponding structure used heretofore.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from a consideration of the fol lowing description and claims and the attached I drawings, of which there are four sheets, and in which- Figure 1 represents an elevational view of a right rear window frame and regulator panel as viewed from the inside of an automobile;

r Figure'B represents a sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 8--8 in Figure'3 andlooking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 9 represents-an end elevational view of the front edge of the outer quarter panel of the body.

The outer panel 50- of thebody to which the window frame and regulator panel is arranged to be attached is shown in Figure 2. The panel Figure 2 represents an elevational view of an outer right rear quarter panel of an automobile body as viewed from the inside of the automobile;- Figure 3 represents an elevational viewof the panels shown in Figures 1 and 2 as they'will' be joined together in an automobile and viewed from the inside of the automobile;

Figure 4 represents a sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 4- -4 in Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 represents a sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 55 in Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 represents a sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 66 in Figure 3' and looking in the direction of the arrows;

' Figure 7 represents a sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 1-1 in Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

is provided with a window frame section 5| positioned over a side panel section 52, each of which merge into a section 53 which extends downwardly along theback of the automobile and is provided with a flanged edge 54 against which a rear deck lid (not shown) is adapted to be seated. The window frame section 5| defines a window opening 55. The upper edges of the window frame section 5| and the section 53 are provided with a flat inwardly extending flange 56 from the inner edge of which a generally vertical flange 58 is turned upwardly. The flat flange 56 forms a base and anchorage for a mating flat flange Bil-turned inwardly from the lower edges of a roof panel 62 (see Figures 4, 8 and 9). A

' molding or gutter strip 64 may be positioned between the roof flange and the horizontal flange 56. The upstanding flange 58 functions to center the roof panel 62 on top of the horizontal'flange 56 and acorresponding flange on the opposite side of the body. The flanges may be joined by the usual spot welding process well known to automobile body builders.

The side portion 52 of the outer panel is pressed inwardly to form a wheel house 66 around the edges of which is formed a generally curved flat area 68 which defines apertures 10 through which bolts can be passed to attach thefiange of a fender (not shown) to the quarter panel.

The forward edge of the-quarter panel is folded inwardly in a generally transversely extending flange as at 72 (see Figures 2 and 9) which flange is' stepped'as at 14 to receive suitable sealing strips (not shown) against which a door (also not shown) may abut when closed. The flange i2 is also provided with a recessed pocket at 16 within which a suitable keeper for the door looking mechanism may be secured by means of bolts pased through the holes 78. Tabs or fingers project inwardly of the flange 12 and are used for a purpose to be described presently.

The lower portion of the flange 12 at the forward edge of the rear quarter panel 50 is curved forwardly as at '(see Figures2 and 3) and formed into a generally flat'tab 92 which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to a body sill member (not shown). The lower ends of the stepped portions 14 of the flange 12 also curve forwardly as at 94 and merge into the main body of the flange I2 and the tab 92. The bottom edge of the quarter panel 50 forwardly of the wheel house section 66 is provided with an outwardly curved roll 96 from the bottom edge of which a flat flange 98 is turned inwardly of the body. The flange 98 is arranged to be welded to the sill member of the automobile (not shown).

Around the window opening 55, the edges of the quarter panel are formed into window reveals 82, the inner edges of which are turned outwardly from the window opening into a flat annular flange 84 positioned in the plane of the opening. From the outer edges of the flange 84 a flange 86 is turned inwardly of the panel along the top and sides of the window opening (see Figures 2, 5 and 6). The flange 80 is broken at intervals about the window opening as indicated at 88 (see Figure 2) so that it may be formed without tearing the metal from which the panel is stamped. The flange 86 is omitted along the bottom of the window opening to leave a slot 89 (see Figure 4) through which the window glass (not shown) may extend.

The window frame and regulator panel I which is arranged to cooperate with the rear quarter panel 50 just described is most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 and consists of a window frame section I02 and a regulator panel section I04. The window frame section I02 defines an opening corresponding to the window opening 55 in the rear quarter panel and is provided with a flange I06 which is turned outwardly of the body and extends completely around the window opening. The outer edge of the flange I06 is flanged inwardly toward the center of the window opening as at I08. The outer edge of the flange I06 and the inturned flange I08 are arranged to rest against the angle formed by the flanges 84 and 80 formed on the window frame section of the rear quarter panel 50. The two panels are arranged to be secured together as by welding around the top and sides of the window opening 55.

The top edge of the window frame section I02 is provided with a series of outwardly pressed bosses III! which are apertured to receive attaching means for the head lining of the vehicle (not shown).

The forward edge of the window frame panel I00 is formed into a channel shaped rib H2, the forward edge of which is arranged to abut against and be welded to the rear side of the flange 12 formed on the front of the rear quarter panel 50. Attention is called to the fact that the channel section II2 opens inwardly of the automobile and that the tabs 80 formed on the inner edge of the flange 12 project beyond the edge of the channel section II2 so that they may be bent over as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 6. The channel section I I2 is arranged to receive a tacking strip of wood or tightly rolled paper (not shown) which will be held in place by bending over the tabs 80. The tacking strip is used to secure the interior fabric trim of the body (not shown) which is attached to the tacking strip by means of tacks.

The regulator panel section I04 of the window frame I00 extends generally vertically downward below the window opening and is provided with a longitudinally extending rib "4 just below the window opening and a series of rectangular stiffening ribs H0 which function to make the regulator panel more rigid. If desired, the metal within the rectangular ribs I I6 may be cut away as at II8 to lighten the panel. Parallel ribs I20 are pressed in the regulator panel section I04 to add rigidity to the panel at the point where the window regulating mechanism is attached.

The regulator section I04 further defines an opening I22 arranged to receive an ash tray and a circular opening I24 through which the window crank shaft is arranged to project. Suitable supports (not shown) for the window glass and regulating mechanism can be attached to the regulator panel I04 by means of bolts passed through the holes I26 formed in the strengthening rib I20. Slots I21 are formed near the lower edge of the regulator'section to receive and support suitable lugs formed on an arm rest bracket (not shown).

Towards its rearward edge and along the bottom thereof, the regulator section I04 is turned inwardly of the automobile in a curved flange I28 which is arranged to rest on and be secured to the inner surface of the wheel house panel 66 of the rear quarter panel 50. The forward edge of the regulator section I04 is provided with an outwardly offset flange I30, the purpose of which will be described presently. Attention is called to the fact that the flange I30 is spaced backwardly from the forward edge of the win- (lav frame section I02 and the channel section The lower portion of the window frame section I02 which defines the lower edge of the window opening is turned outwardly of the panel I00 in a flat flange I32, the outer edge of which is turned downwardly in a marginal flange I34. Attention is called to the fact that the cutturned flange I32 at the bottom of the window frame section I02 is shorter than the flange I00 formed along the top and sides of the window frame section I02. A slot is thus left between the rear quarter panel 50 and the window frame and regulator panel I00 along the lower edge of the window opening through which the window glass (not shown) is slidable. The outturned flange I32 at the bottom of the window opening is provided with a pair of raised portions I35 over which the lower edge of a garnish molding (not shown) may be hooked to complete the interior of the automobile after the,upholstery has been secured in place.

Attention is called to the fact that the top portion of the window frame section )2 is offset inwardly from the plane of the lower part of .the window frame section I02 as indicated by the fold lines at I38. This is provided so that a fabric covered trim panel can be positioned against the inside of the regulator section I04 and the forward column of the window frame section I02 and lie flush with the top of the window frame section I02.

When the window frame and regulator panel I00 is joined to the rear quarter panel 50, the forward column of the window frame section I02 will combine with the forward edge of the rear quarter panel 50 to form a door column of hollow generally rectangular cross section (see Figure 6). Below the forward column of the window frame section I02 and just forwardly of the forward edge of the regulator section I04 a door column reinforcing member I40 (see Figures 3 and 7) is attached as by welding to the forward flange 12 of the rear quarter panel. The forward edge of the reinforcing column I40 is shaped into a channel section I42 which forms a continuation of the channel section I I2 at the forward edge of the window frame section I02. The outwardly offset flange I30 on the forward edge of the regulator section I04 is arranged to fit behind and be welded to the rear edge of the reinforcing column I40. Below the regulator section I04 the column I40 is provided with an outwardly turned flange I44 which extends downwardly to the inwardly turned flange 96 at the bottom of the rear quarter panel 50.

A curved inwardly turned flange I28 at the lower rear edge of the regulator panel I is secured as by welding along the top surface of the wheel house 66 as was explained above and a separate strip I46 of angle shaped cross section is also welded to the wheel house panel 66 and extended forwardly and downwardly from the flange I28. The angle member I46 forms an abutment behind which a rain board (not shown) may be positioned to prevent water which may leak past the lower edge of the window and between the regulator section I04 and rear quarter panel 50 from soaking through the interior upholstery of the automobile. It will be noted that the lower edge of the regulator section I04 is pressed outwardly as at I48 and I49 so that the rain board will rest flush with the main surface of the regulator section I04.

The rear edge of the regulator section I04 is supported by a generally vertical brace I50 which is welded along the rear edge of the regulator section I04. The bottom of the brace I50 is provided with an inwardlyturned flange I52 (see Figure 8) which is welded to the inside surface of the wheel house section 66 and an upwardly extending end I54 which extends to the top of the top portion 53 of the rear quarter panel. An inturned flange I56 and a vertical flange I58 are provided on the top of the upwardly extending end I54 of the brace I50 so that the brace may be secured as by welding to the flange 56 formed on the upper edge of the top portion 53. The upwardly extending portion I54 of the brace I 50 is stamped into a channel shaped cross section as at I60 to increase its rigidity.

The rear edge of the brace I50 along the bottom half thereof is turned inwardly in a flange I62 to which a gusset plate I64 is attached by means of screws I66. The gusset plate I64 has a rearwardly extending flange I68 turned backwardly from the edges thereof and is provided with strengthening ribs I and lightening knock out apertures I12. The upper edge of the gusset plate I64 forms a support for a rear shelf I14 along the forward edge of which is formed a flange I16. The flange I16 is hooked over the top of the gusset plate I64 and secured thereto as by means of screws I18. The side edges of the shelf I14 are stamped into channel shaped cross section as at I80 to increase the rigidity of the shelf.

A Window guide bar I82 (see Figures 3 and 8) of generally Z-shaped cross section has its inner flange secured as by welding to the outer surface of the regulator panel I04 and the brace I50- The guide bar I82 extends downwardly and backwardly from the rear edge of the slot 89 between the window frame section I02 and the rear quarter panel 50 along the line of. the edge of the window pane. A similar guide bar I84 is provided along the forward edge of the window pane. The guide bars I82 and I84 serve as supports for 3 windowrun channels (not shown) of any desirableform.

' It should thus be apparent that the combined window frame and regulator panel just described may be formed as a singlestamping from sheet metal of proper thickness and that the single stamping will function to support window regulating mechanism, window guide bars, upholstery trim wire, window molding and suitable ash' trays or accessories. The stamping further cooperates with the rear quarter panel to-form a window and door post of hollow cross section which is both light and rigid and is also attachable to the wheel house section of the rear quarter panel to further interbrace the rear quarter panel with the inner window frame and regulator panel. The stamping thus disclosed eliminates many steps in assembling the automobile body and is easily and cheaply manufactured. Obviously the structure disclosed and described may be altered in many respects to'meet the individual needs of various users without departing from the spirit of the invention. The structure is equally applicable to automobile bodies of the sedan type and to bodies having a different arrangement of the outer rear quarter panel. This disclosure should be taken as an example only and not as a limitation of my invention, to which I make the following claims:

1. In an automobile body having an outer panel defining a window opening and having an inwardly extending flange along the forward edge thereof, a window frame and regulator panel comprising a stamping having an upper portion defining a window opening registering with the window opening in said outer panel, a regulator portion positioned below said window opening portion and arranged to support window regulating mechanism, flanges turned outwardly of said body around the inside of the opening in said upper portion, the flange at the bottom of said window opening being narrower than the flange along the top and sides of said window opening portion, inwardly extending flanges formed on said outer panel arranged to be secured to said outwardly extending flanges along the top and sides of said opening in said upper portion, a flange having a channel shaped cross section formed on the forward edge of said upper opening portion and secured to said inwardly extending flange of said outer panel, a flange formed on the forward edge of said regulator supporting portion and offset to the rear of said inwardly extending flange of said outer panel, and a reinforcing column having a flange of channel shaped cross section along its forward edge secured to said inwardly extending flange on said outer panel and forming a continuation of said channel shaped flange on said window opening portion, said flange on said regulator portion being secured to the rear edge of said reinforcing column.

2. Automobile body construction comprising an outer panel defining a window opening and having an inwardly extending flange along the forward edge thereof, a flange turned inwardly from said outer panel along the top and sides-of said window opening, an inner panel defining a second opening registering with said opening in said outer panel, flanges turned outwardly of said inner panel around the top and sides of said second opening-and secured to said inwardly turned flanges on said outer panel, a flange of inwardly opening, channel shaped cross section formed along the forward edge of said inner panel opposite said second opening and secured to said inwardly extending flange along the forwardedge of said outer panel, an edge formed on said inner panel below said channel shaped flange and offset to the rear thereof, and a reinforcing column having a channel shaped flange formed along the forward edge thereof and secured to said inwardly extending flange of said outer panel in continuation of said channel shaped flange on said inner panel, the rear edge of said reinforcing column being secured to said offset edge of said inner panel, said reinforcing column extending below said inner panel.

3. Automobile body construction comprising an outer panel defining a window opening and having a flange turned inwardly of the body along its forward edge, an inner panel defining a second opening registering with the opening in said outer panel and having a flange of inwardly opening, channel shaped cross section formed along the upper part of its forward edge, the lower part of the forward edge of said inner panel being offset to the rear of said channel shaped flange, and a reinforcing column having a flange of channel shaped cross section formed along its forward edge, said reinforcing column being secured along a portion of its rear edge to said offset edge of said inner panel and along its entire forward edge to said inwardly turned flange on said outer panel, said channel shaped flanges of said reinforcing column and said inner panel forming a continuous channel along said inwardly extending flange on said outer panel.

4. Automobile body construction comprising an outer panel defining a window opening and ex tending therebelow, inwardly extending flanges formed on the forward edge and bottom of said panel, an inner panel defining a second opening registering with said opening in said outer panel and extending therebelow but terminating above said flange on the bottom of said outer panel, said inner panel having the upper portion of its forward edge secured to said inwardly extending flange on said outer panel and the lower portion of its forward edge spaced to the rear of said last mentioned flange, and a reinforcing column having its forward edge secured to said inwardly extending flange on said outer panel and extending below said inner panel to said inwardly turned flange along the bottom of said outer panel, the lower portion of the forward edge of said inner panel being secured to the rear edge of said reinforcing column.

ALEXANDER BENZICK. 

